Wake Forest Coach Charged In Deadly Attack On Stranger

William Boyd | Contributor

Wake Forest assistant basketball coach Jamill Jones was arrested in New York after throwing a brutal punch at a tourist on Thursday.

The punch landed the tourist, later identified as Sabor Szabo, in the hospital and, eventually, injuries sustained by the punch killed him. Szabo was allegedly drunkenly banging on cars in Queens, one of which belonged to Jones, trying to find a cab to take him home. Szabo thought Jones’ car was an Uber there to pick him up.

People living in the area tried to get him to stop, but Szabo refused. Someone living in that area then punched Szabo and Jones followed. Szabo fell and hit his head on the pavement, rendering him unconscious. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition and died from injuries.

The police released surveillance video of the Jones walking away from the scene where he punched Szabo. Jones turned himself into Astoria police on Thursday morning. Jones was released from jail on his own recognizance and must go to court on October 2nd. He is now currently awaiting arraignment in Queens Criminal Court.

Jones is being brought up on criminal charges, as police believe his punch caused Szabo’s death. Medical examiners, however, have yet to determine the exact cause of death. Law enforcement said if they do not find Jones guilty of the man’s death, they will downgrade the charges brought against the assistant football coach.

Wake Forest released a statement saying, “We have just been made aware of this matter and we are gathering information. We will make a further statement after we learn more about the matter.”

Friends of Szabo were very upfront about what they believed should happen to Jones. “I hope they find him and bring him to justice,” they told WPEC-TV on Tuesday. “This was really a stupid, stupid act. It’s a big family, and he was an important part of it, so everybody is just heartbroken.”

Jones released a statement through his attorney, Alain Massena, as well, which was reported by ESPN. “It’s an unfortunate and tragic incident,” Massena told ESPN. “Mr. Jones and his family, their deepest condolences go out to the Szabo family. We simply hope that the public gives Mr. Jones an opportunity to litigate this matter in the court and not in the press.”

Jones was hired by Wake Forest back in 2017. He was an assistant before with UCF, VCU, and Florida Gulf Coast. Jones started his career coaching with a local AAU team, before taking a job coaching with Arkansas Tech back in 2008.